Break-apart assembly for supporting an exhaust flue

ABSTRACT

An exhaust flue support apparatus made up of an elongate flue mounting plate defining a first flue access hole with at least one contiguous strapping-tab extending into the flue access hole, the mounting plate incorporating at least two longitudinal, spaced-apart, strengthening beads; a securing strap having a length capable of inscribing the first flue access hole; a centering plate providing an elongated flue access hole; and a butting plate having a V-shaped edge, the securing strap, centering plate and butting plate formed from a single sheet of metal with tabs for easily breaking the securing strap, centering plate and butting plate away from the mounting plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Disclosure

This disclosure relates generally to the support and physical centering of furnace and other exhaust flue pipes and vents and more particularly to an apparatus capable of providing a plurality of connected but easily broken apart sheet metal portions for completing the job.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Reynoso, U.S. Pat. No. Des 257,947 discloses a design for a bracket for mounting a heater vent pipe between joists and rafters. Williamson, U.S. Pat. No. 851,720 discloses a flue support consisting of two parallel spaced U-shaped metal straps having their extremities turned outwardly at right angles in a common plane, and a pair of independently formed parallel spaced cross-straps, disposed upon the web portions of the U-shaped straps and having their ends turned downwardly against the outer edges of the webs of the U-shaped straps, whereby longitudinal displacement of the cross-straps from the U-shaped straps is prevented. Grissom, U.S. Pat. No. 973,777 discloses a flue base, a pair of supports spaced from each other, each support being of substantially U-shape and having outwardly bent and down-turned hook like ends for engagement with adjacent joists, and a centrally perforated flat plate normally resting upon the cross connecting portions of the supports and having notches formed in opposite side edges receiving the vertical leg portions of the supports, whereby the plate will be held against displacement with respect to the latter without the use of fasteners. Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,127,844 discloses a device comprising in combination a pair of U-shaped stirrups the legs of which are bent to hook formation at their terminals to adapt them to engage over spaced supports, the stirrups lying in space relation to each other, bars extending between the stirrups with their ends resting upon the stirrups, the stirrups and the bars together comprising an open, rectangular and continuous support and a sheet metal plate supported upon the bars and the stirrups and completely overlying the bars and the horizontal portions of the stirrups the plate serving as a base and a closure for the bottom of a brick flue, the bars and the stirrups underlying the line of the bricks of which the flue is made and the plate having an opening formed therein for the reception of a stove pipe. Legg, U.S. Pat. No. 1,342,918 discloses a flue with an open bottom having a pipe entering the open end thereof, of a flue pan arranged beneath the open bottom of the flue provided with a central aperture adapted to receive the pipe and a tubular member secured to the pan and extending upwardly into the flue surrounding the pipe, the tubular member being provided on the upper end thereof with a resilient flange engaging the pipe. Epstein, U.S. Pat. No. 2,648,326 discloses a spacer comprising: an elongated strip of deformable sheet metal formed with a longitudinal series of transverse extensions severed from the strip along their opposite sides and one end only, and bent outward from the strip along the other end which extensions are additionally bent adjacent the first end at a distance from the strip beyond the deformable limits of the strip-secured metal to provide footing portions collectively adapted to abut against the perimeter of a structure around which the strip may be wound so as to space the same apart therefrom, and means for fastening the wound strip to a supporting structure the strip of metal having longitudinally extending dimples stiffening the strip at the junctures of the respective extensions at their other ends, the stiffening dimples terminating at stations spaced from the junctures and defining unstiffened transverse bend lines for the strip between the extensions. Epstein, U.S. Pat. No. 2,648,511 discloses a hanger for a vertical vent pipe, the hanger comprising a vent pot means having a side and a bottom to receive the lower end of a support pipe, the hanger further comprising bracket means adapted to be supported on adjacent ceiling joists, hanger bar means supported on the bracket means, and the pot supported on the hanger bar means, the bracket means comprising a sheet metal body including a surface for securement against the side of one of the joists and having means offset from the plane of the surface, vertical slots formed in the offset means, the slots each having a downwardly tapered upper end portion and an enlarged lower end potion, the hanger bar means being horizontally supportable on the bracket means and having compressible end portions normally thicker than the slots at their narrowest tapered portions adapted to be snapped downwardly into individual slots, the bar means being longitudinally adjustable in the slots, the pot including a bottom and a side wall, the side wall of the pot having receiving means for the bar, the bar means being longitudinally slidable in the bar receiving means, the bar receiving means including portions normally frictionally gripping the bar. Goldstone, U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,342 discloses a vent pipe support including a frame adapted to be secured to spaced portions of a building, the frame including spaced members adapted to extend between the spaced building portions; a pipe supporting bucket having opposed, generally parallel end walls; brackets secured to the end walls and spaced therefrom in generally parallel relation thereto to provide guideways between the brackets and end walls to receive the spaced members with the bracket s and bucket supported on the space members, the sides of each guideway being defined by an end wall and a bracket secured to the end wall. Lane, U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,740 discloses a hanger for flue pipes comprising, a generally rectangular frame structure adapted to span a pair of spaced beams and to be secured thereto, a horizontally disposed clamping ring adapted to receive and hold a vertically disposed flue pipe against axial movements, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced centering brackets interposed between the clamping ring and the frame structure the brackets including vertical ears secured to the clamping ring, horizontal ears detachably secured to the frame structure, and angular body portions, the body portions defining radially inwardly projecting elements which are adapted to engage circumferentially space portions of a flue pipe in axially space relation to the clamping ring, whereby to hold the flue against angular movements with respect to the axis of the clamping ring. Stone, U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,468 discloses a support assembly for securing a prefabricated metal chimney or the like to a sloped roof and comprising a pair of bracket members adapted to be fixed to rafters on opposite sides of the chimney, each being adjustably connected to a plate member which is fixed to the chimney so that the chimney can be held vertically despite the degree of roof slope. Lane, U.S. Pat. No. 3,809,350 discloses a readily applicable device for use when the user is called upon to install a sheet material vent pipe. It comprises a simple adapter plate having a central opening for insertable and adjustable passage of a conventional type vent pipe, the apertured portion of the plate being encompassed by overhanging coordinating tabs. These tabs have upwardly flexed or canted inner ends which are slightly resilient and which embrace and yieldingly as well as retentively engage that portion of the vent pipe surrounded thereby.

The related art described above discloses several methods known and in use for engaging and securing a vent flue. However, the prior art fails to disclose a single interconnected set of securement portions that are fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal and which may be easily broken apart in securing a flue vent. The present disclosure distinguishes over the prior art providing heretofore unknown advantages as described in the following summary.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The prior art described above and well known common practice in the construction trades provides methods and means for securing flue vents and pipes of all types. However these techniques and parts are lacking in that they require the purchasing and inventorying of several disparate parts, picking and carrying these parts to a job site and then applying them in tight quarters with little space for setting parts down and for working. Furthermore, the use of separate parts can be expensive. The present invention apparatus overcomes these difficulties as will be shown. Described herein is an exhaust flue support apparatus made up of an elongate flue mounting plate defining a first flue access hole with at least one contiguous strapping-tab extending into the flue access hole, the mounting plate incorporating at least two longitudinal, spaced-apart, strengthening beads; a securing strap having a length capable of inscribing the first flue access hole; a centering plate providing an elongated flue access hole; and a butting plate having a V-shaped edge, the securing strap, centering plate and butting plate formed from a single sheet of metal with tabs for easily breaking the securing strap, centering plate and butting plate away from the mounting plate for effective use in meeting the objectives. The fact that the parts are made at the same time by the same processes of forming and punching, and that they are connected as a single sheet enables low cost and simplified inventorying and convenient carrying to the job site, setting at the job site, i.e. standing it up vertically to take up almost no floor space room when in tight quarters is an example of a truly significant advance in the art.

A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide the several parts necessary to complete a flue stabilization and centering in an interconnected sheet metal format where separate parts may be broken away for use in completing the job.

A further objective is to manufacture all of the parts needed for a particular construction job or operation from a single piece of sheet metal by fabrication steps that finish all of the parts at the same time and without separating them.

A still further objective is to provide a set of parts for a construction job where the parts are interconnected, but easily broken away from each other in order to complete the job, yet are initially joined so as to be more conveniently inventoried, stored, carried to the job site and used at the job site.

A yet further objective is to prepare a plurality of sheet metal parts from a single section of sheet metal with small tabs attaching the parts together so that they may be easily separated by work hardening the tabs by manual bending until they break apart.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the presently described apparatus in exploded format to show the juxtaposition of the several parts of the apparatus in one application;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views thereof showing the use of two of the parts of the apparatus as mounted exteriorly and interiorly respectively to a roof surface for centering a vent flue;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views thereof showing two alternate arrangements thereof when fabricating the parts from a single sheet of metal;

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the arrangement of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the parts of the arrangement of FIG. 6 in one application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus and its method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of use.

Described now in detail is a first embodiment of an exhaust flue support apparatus, the subject of this application. This apparatus comprises an elongate flue mounting plate 10 defining a longitudinal direction, see arrow “A.” The mounting plate 10 incorporates at least two longitudinal, spaced-apart, strengthening beads 12 (FIGS. 7 and 8) which may be V-shaped or semicircular in cross-section. Other shapes are possible as well. The purpose of these beads 12 is to prevent lateral bending of the mounting plate 10, which is necessary for it to perform its function. The mounting plate 10 is engaged by break-off tabs 14 with a securing strap 20, a centering plate 30, and a butting plate 40 and these four parts: 10, 20, 30 and 40 are arranged in planar juxtaposition as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. These four parts 10, 20, 30 and 40 are preferably made from a single flat piece of 24 gauge galvanized steel sheet metal and are preferably fabricated at the same time through punching and bending operations well known in the art.

The mounting plate 10 provides plural mounting holes 16 which are preferably arranged in longitudinal rows as shown, and preferably the rows are placed adjacent to and in line with the opposing lateral edges 18 of the mounting plate 10. The mounting plate 10 also provides a first flue access hole 15 with one or more contiguous strapping-tabs 17 extending into the area defined by the flue access hole 15. Preferably, in one embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the strapping-tabs are aligned longitudinally. In a second embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the strapping-tabs 17 are oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the tabs 17 are preferably set in pairs and form a V-shape as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the mounting plate 10 provides a pair of laterally spaced-apart second flue access holes 15′ which are open to an end edge 18′ of the mounting plate 10. In the forming of these holes 15′, preferably by a punching operation, a strapping tab 17 is formed in the mounting place 10.

The securing strap 20 provides fastener holes or apertures 22 at terminal ends thereof for fastening the securing strap 20 to itself as will be described and shown. Preferably, the terminal ends of the securing strap 20 also each provides an anti-turn element 24 for securing a fastener such as a nut. Such an anti-turn element 24 is preferably a pair of spaced apart raised portions produced by a lancing or dimpling operation, and are placed with the aperture 22 between them. The securing strap 20 is of a length 25 (FIG. 7) that is capable of inscribing a flue 5 which has an outside diameter approximately equal to, or slightly less than the length “L” (FIG. 5) of the first flue access hole 15. What is meant, herein, by the use of the word “inscribing” is that the securing strap 20 is able to be formed into a circle that is large enough to touch at least two opposing edges of the first flue access hole 15. This length 25 of the strap 20 is long enough to align the apertures 22 of the terminal ends when the terminal ends are bent outwardly as shown in FIG. 8 so that they may be joined by a screw and nut or other fastener.

The centering plate 30 provides a third flue access hole 15″ and at least four alignment apertures 32, where pairs of the alignment apertures 32 are open to opposing lateral edges 34 of the centering plate 30. The centering plate 30 also provides mounting holes 16 as shown in FIG. 2.

The butting plate 40 provides a V-shaped edge 42 and a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally oriented slots 44 corresponding in position with the alignment apertures 32 of the centering plate 30.

In use, as shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement of the parts shown in FIG. 5, may be broken apart and applied to a flue support and centering application. In FIG. 1 it is shown that the roof mounted flashing 6 (not a part of the present apparatus) receives the vent flue 5 (also not part of the present apparatus). The centering plate 30 is secured to the roof sheeting 7 and under the plate 30, the butting plate 40 is also secured with the V-shaped edge 42 abutting the flue 5 and pressing the flue 5 against one edge of the hole 15″ in plate 30. In this manner the flue 5 is centered within opening 8 in the roof sheeting 7. Securement of plates 30 and 40 both on the exterior surface of sheeting 7 and the interior surface of sheeting 7 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively.

In FIG. 4 is shown an alternate use of butting plate 40 whereby it is bent along a lateral line 44 and fastened to a timber or rafter 9 with V-shaped edge 42 projecting into the roof opening 8 so as to abut the flue 5 which is held in place, centered in opening 8 by a length of plumbers tape 4 (not a part of the present apparatus).

As previously described, FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of the apparatus shown in the flat. Piercing and punching operations have been completed at this point where the outline of the apparatus is cut, holes 15, 15′ and 15″ have been punched, and the several tabs 14 have been formed by punching out linear portions such as 14′. The stiffening beads 12 are thereafter formed by bending the longitudinal flat portions shown in these figures and referenced by numeral 19. The beads 12 are formed between the phantom lines shown. FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 shows these parts in one application for supporting and centering the flue 5.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented. 

1. An exhaust flue support apparatus comprising: an elongate flue mounting plate defining a longitudinal direction, the mounting plate incorporating at least one longitudinal, strengthening bead; the mounting plate engaged by break-off tabs with a securing strap, a centering plate, and a butting plate, the mounting plate, securing strap, centering plate and butting plate arranged in planar juxtaposition.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate provides plural mounting holes.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the mounting holes are arranged in longitudinal rows, at least one of the rows placed adjacent to an edge of the mounting plate.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate provides a first flue access hole, the mounting plate having at least one contiguous strapping-tab extending into the flue access hole.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one strapping-tab is aligned longitudinally.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the at least one strapping-tab is oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate provides a pair of laterally spaced-apart holes, each of the spaced apart holes open to an end edge of the mounting plate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the securing strap provides apertures at terminal ends thereof for fastening the securing strap to itself.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of the terminal ends provides an anti-turn element for securing a fastener nut.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the centering plate provides a second flue access hole.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the centering plate provides at least four alignment apertures, pairs of the alignment apertures open to opposing lateral edges of the centering plate.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the butting plate provides a V-shaped edge.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the butting plate provides a pair of spaced apart, longitudinally oriented slots, the slots corresponding in position with the alignment apertures of the centering plate.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the securing strap has a length capable of inscribing a flue having an outside diameter approximately equal to a longitudinal length of the first flue access hole, said length further extensive for alignment of the apertures of the terminal ends with the terminal ends bent outwardly.
 15. An exhaust flue support apparatus comprising: an elongate flue mounting plate defining a first flue access hole with at least one contiguous strapping-tab extending into the flue access hole, the mounting plate incorporating at least two longitudinal, spaced-apart, strengthening bead; a securing strap having a length capable of inscribing the first flue access hole; a centering plate providing an elongated flue access hole; and a butting plate having a V-shaped edge.
 16. An exhaust flue support apparatus comprising: an elongate flue mounting plate defining a first flue access hole with at least one contiguous strapping-tab extending into the flue access hole and secured thereto in a manner for easily breaking away, a securing strap having a length capable of inscribing the first flue access hole. 